Week 6 - Anemia

Question 1

What is anemia?

Answer 1

Anemia is a hemoglobin (Hb) of less than 120 g/L in women and less than 140 g/L in men

Question 2

When caring for a client with iron-deficiency anemica,, which abnormal laboratory value will the nurse expect?

1. Macrocytic RBCs
2. Thrombocytopenia
3. Decreased folate levels
4. Increased total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)

Answer 2

TIBC may be elevated from 350 to 500 mcg/dL (expected range is 250-460) b.c more iron is being used to attempt ot make more RBCs and less iron is bound to proteins that transport iron in the circulation.

Iron deficiency causes microcytic RBCs.

Platelet count is not decreased with iron-deficiency anemia.

Folate deficiency would cause folate deficiency anemia, a macrocytic anemia

Question 3

What is folic acid’s relationship to RBCs?

Answer 3

Folic acid is needed to produce heme for hemoglobin. It is a necessary coenzyme.

Question 4

When performing a focused assessment on a client with a possible diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, which locations would the nurse examine? SATA

1. Sclera
2. Nail beds
3. conjunctivae
4. palms of hands
5. bony prominences

Answer 4

Nail beds, conjunctivae, and palms of hands.

Nail beds lose their pink coloration b/c of reduced hemoglobin. A reduced amount of hemoglobin deceases pink color of conjunctivae. Palms of hands will become pale b/c of the decreased hemoglobin.

Question 5

A client has a low hemoglobin level that is attributed to a nutritional deficiency. Which foods should the nurse teach the clinent ot increase in the diet? SATA

1. liver
2. apples
3. carrots
4. cheese
5. spinach

Answer 5

liver and spinach are high in iron. The client needs iron for RBC production and hemoglobin - a low hemoglobin level –> client is anemic.

Applies are high in fiber, carrots in vitamin A. Cheese is high in calcium. All three of these are low in iron.